Fannie May

Fannie May is a brand of chocolates owned by Ferrero SpA. Between 2004 and 2006, the brand was run by Fannie May Confections, Inc., a confectioner based in Chicago.

The first Fannie May shop was opened in 1920 by H. Teller Archibald at 11 North LaSalle Street in Chicago. Fifteen years later in 1935, Fannie May had opened 48 stores in Illinois and its surrounding states in the Midwest. In the midst of World War II, the ingredients for Fannie May's recipes were hard to come by. However, they chose to not change their recipes, while other competitors did. By sticking with the exact recipes, often times the shops had to be closed early because no more candy was available that day. Fannie May's vision was to create handmade, delectable chocolates, without sacrificing the taste of the candy.

In 1946, just after World War II, Fannie May created its most well-known candy to date, the Pixie. In the 1970's and 1980's Fannie May continued to develop new candy flavors with the introduction of the Trinidad in 1970 possibly their most well known candy, and the creation of the Eggnog Creams in 1989. In 1991, Fannie May made the decision to make some of their candy with sugar-free chocolate, which made it available to diabetics and dieters.

In attempt to reach all consumers, Fannie May became allergy conscious. They carry candy without gluten, gelatin, milk, honey, oil(s), wheat, eggs, etc. Fannie May even lists the health benefits of eating dark chocolate. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America certified many of Fannie May's products to be kosher as well.

In 1992, Fannie May bought similarly-named competitor Fanny Farmer—making it the largest (most stores) candy retailer in the United States—which was a prelude to the company's bankruptcy. It is also why Fannie May stores shared a look similar to that of Fanny Farmer.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, under the ownership of a private equity firm, Archibald Candy not only expanded Fannie May and Fanny Farmer's store base, but also acquired Canadian icon Laura Secord as well as The Sweet Factory. By 2002, Archibald Candy had 412 company-operated stores (197 Fannie May, 45 Fanny Farmer and 170 Laura Secord) in 18 states in the U.S., and 9 provinces in Canada. Archibald Candy products were distributed in approximately 8,000 third-party retail outlets nationwide. Archibald Candy's primary manufacturing operations were located in Chicago, Illinois at that time.

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